Reduce Caregiver Stress Research Articles

Effectiveness of a home-based, family caregiver–administered manual massage intervention in managing dementia symptoms and reducing caregiver stress: A randomized, controlled clinical trial

ObjectivesTo investigate the effectiveness of family caregiver–administered home-based manual massages in managing dementia symptoms and reducing caregiver stress. MethodsThirty-eight pairs of participants—patients with dementia and their family caregivers—were randomly allocated to the experimental or the control group. The caregivers underwent 3-h-long massage training. Subsequently, the patients received a 30-min-long, home-based massage from their caregivers thrice a week for 8 consecutive weeks. The Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia (CSDD), Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI), and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) were assessed before and after the interventions. ResultsAfter intervention, the experimental group exhibited significant improvements in CSDD and CMAI scores compared with the scores of the control group (all p < .001). Furthermore, the experimental group obtained more favorable PSS scores than did the control group (p = .013). ConclusionsFamily caregiver–administered home-based massage therapy is recommended for managing dementia symptoms and reducing caregiver stress.

Supportive Care for Dementia: A Replicable Model to Reduce Neurobehavioral Symptoms, Caregiver Stress, and Hospitalizations, and Increase Hospice Referrals.

Objective: This report describes a hospice-supported no-fee program to support patients living with all levels of dementia and their caregivers. Background: Our medical system struggles to serve the rapidly increasing numbers of patients with dementia. Hospice of the Valley developed a low-cost six-month program to reduce caregiver stress and reduce neurobehavioral disturbances of patients living with dementia, reduce costs for insurers, and increase hospice referrals. Methods: Data were analyzed from 532 patients living with caregivers admitted over 22 months. Caregiver burden, behaviors, hospitalization, and hospice admissions were tracked. Results: Severity of neurobehavioral disturbances and burden to caregivers decreased significantly. Hospitalizations decreased during and after the program, resulting in cost savings for insurance programs. Twenty-five percent of participants were admitted to hospice. Discussion: The Supportive Care for Dementia program was welcomed by community physicians, leading to improved supportive care and increased hospice referrals. The program is replicable and has been adopted by one health plan and is being evaluated by others.

University-Community Partnerships to Support Responsive Caregiving: The Hearts and Minds on Babies Implementation Story.

Consistent, sensitive caregiving across home and childcare contexts supports optimal development. In this paper, we share the story of the development of Hearts and Minds on Babies (HMB) for Early Head Start (EHS) administrators, teachers, and parents. HMB was designed to support caregiver reflective functioning and sensitivity and reduce caregiver stress. This paper describes a series of Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles used to adapt an existing parenting intervention into the HMB programming for EHS. Throughout the paper, we present HMB concepts and learning objectives and share teachers' and parents' feedback and adaptations to content and delivery options that support implementation by EHS programs. Feedback from the final cycle suggests that HMB supports EHS administrators, teachers, and parents in their roles and improves relationships. The paper highlights the importance of research-practice partnerships in developing programming that meets the needs of EHS.

Implementation and impacts of virtual team-based care planning for older persons in formal care settings: A scoping review.

This scoping review aimed to summarize current knowledge about the implementation, impacts, facilitators and barriers of virtual team-based care planning for older persons in formal care settings (e.g. home and community, primary, long-term and acute care). The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology was used. The Arksey and O'Malley and Levac, Colquhoun, and O'Brien methodologies provided additional frameworks. Databases accessed included PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, AgeLine, PsycInfo and Scopus. Reference lists of selected articles and grey literature retrieved through Google and Google Scholar were also reviewed. Three researchers screened titles, abstracts and conducted full-text reviews. Extracted data were mapped in a table and analysed for summative themes. Older persons and family partners assisted in interpreting findings based on their lived experiences. A total of 27 studies were included. Virtual team-based care planning led to many positive outcomes for older persons (e.g. decreased depression, reduced falls and improved medication management) and their families (e.g. reduced caregiver stress and improved caregiving skills). Only four studies reported the involvement of older persons and/or families in virtual team-based care planning. Multiple barriers to adopting virtual team-based care planning were found including lack of education/training for older persons and families in using technology. Despite the multiple advantages that virtual team-based care planning offers for older persons and families, it is important to ensure that this care can be offered to all. There is a need to ensure that health equity is addressed to promote access to care and respond to social determinants of health.

TRANSFERS, DIFFICULTIES, AND CARE STRESS AMONG FAMILY CAREGIVERS OF OLDER ADULTS LIVING WITH DISABILITIES IN CHINA

Abstract Family caregivers are critical sources of support to older adults living with disabilities, but they also need to cope with caregiving stress and difficulties brought by the caregiving process. This study aimed to explore the associations between family transfers (i.e., time transfer and financial transfer), perceived difficulties of caregiving, and caregiving stress among family caregivers of older adults living with disabilities. Respondents were randomly selected from 6 urban districts and 6 rural towns in Shandong province, China. Data from 220 older adults living with disabilities and their family caregivers were analyzed. Caregiving stress were divided into three categories (mild stress, moderate stress and high stress). Difficulties were divided into four categories (insufficient care abilities, economic hardship, time conflicts, and inadequate nursing equipment). Family caregivers reported moderate to high levels of caregiving stress. Results from multivariate ordinal logistic regression shows that family caregivers providing nine or more hours of care per day reported higher levels of caregiving stress than those who provided 8 or less hours of care per day (9 to 12 hours: OR=2.92, p&amp;lt;.05; 13 to 16 hours: OR=2.66, p&amp;lt;.05). Caregivers who perceived insufficient care abilities, economic hardship, and time conflicts were more likely to report caregiving stress. Respites in the forms of caregiver support group and day care attendance for older adults living with disabilities may reduce caregiver stress. Educational program and professional knowledge training courses may be helpful in reducing caregiving stress. The long-term care insurance system should be promoted to provide social support for family caregivers.

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF INTERNET-BASED INTERVENTIONS IN REDUCING STRESS EXPERIENCED BY OLDER INFORMAL CAREGIVERS

Abstract Purpose This systematic review assesses and provides a critical review of the effectiveness of internet-based interventions to decrease informal caregiver stress. Method: A systematic review of the following databases: PsycINFO, Social Service Abstract, Social Work Abstract, PubMed, and Cochrane Library was conducted using terms related to informal caregivers and internet-based interventions from January 2010-February 2022. Only data conducting interventions in the U.S. included. This systematic review reviewed the quality of articles on the methods of randomized and non-randomized trials using the approaches recommended by the Cochrane Handbook for systematic review for intervention. The review was reported using a PRISMA chart. Results Eight studies met the review criteria. Most of the studies showed positive benefits in reducing caregiver stress. There were no clear patterns as to the variables such as study duration and complexity of intervention associated with better outcomes, although earlier studies typically had more negative outcomes. Conclusions Internet-based interventions can develop solutions to decrease the physical and psychological consequences resulting from caregiving and can help empower older caregivers of people with chronic diseases. Internet-based interventions were mainly effective in reducing aspects of caregiver stress and improving their well-being. Further studies can assess outcomes for older informal caregivers and their recipients’ health, different technology delivery methods, and the cost of such interventions are needed to examine the psychological impacts of COVID-19 on older informal caregivers.

The effects of mantra‐based AMI Meditation on burnout, secondary traumatic stress, and compassion satisfaction levels in healthcare providers

AbstractImportanceThere is an abundance of research demonstrating the growing challenge of burnout in healthcare professionals. This has been further exacerbated by the COVID‐19 pandemic. The use of meditation using various techniques has shown promising results in the reduction of stress and its sequelae.ObjectiveTo determine the efficacy of a mantra‐based meditation protocol developed by the American Meditation Institute to reduce caregiver stress by evaluating changes in burnout and secondary traumatic stress (components of compassion fatigue) and compassion satisfaction with the application of the meditation protocol.Design, Setting, and ParticipationThis pre–post cohort analysis was conducted on prospective enrollees of the Continuing Medical Education (CME)‐accredited American Meditation Institute's annual Heart and Science of Yoga® Conference, a comprehensive training in Yoga Science as Holistic Mind/Body Medicine for physicians and other healthcare providers held in October in Lenox, Massachusetts. Enrollees were trained in mantra‐based AMI Meditation at the conference and monitored during the 6‐month period following the conference.InterventionsThe mantra‐based AMI Meditation intervention included a 5‐day in‐person training, a daily practice of a guided mantra‐based AMI Meditation using a 20‐min CD or MP3 recording, and receipt of a monthly motivational letter. Study participants completed the Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) Measure (a survey) and a demographic survey at baseline, and the ProQOL Measure and an informational survey at 3 and 6 months.Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe primary outcome was a change from baseline in participants’ level of burnout using the ProQOL assessed at baseline and 3 and 6 months. Secondary outcomes included change from baseline in participants’ level of secondary traumatic stress and compassion satisfaction assessed at 3 and 6 months using the ProQOL Measure. Qualitative data were also collected from participant feedback, via the informational surveys, at 3 months and after completion of the program at 6 months.ResultsOf the 54 participants who enrolled and completed a baseline survey, 30 completed the follow‐up at 3 months and 21 participants completed the follow‐up at 6 months. From baseline to 6 months, there were statistically significant improvements in the scores for all three ProQOL scales. Using paired t‐test, burnout scores were reduced by 23.2% (p &lt; 0.0001), secondary traumatic stress scores were reduced by 19.9% (p = 0.001), and compassion satisfaction scores improved by 11.2% (p &lt; 0.0001). For secondary traumatic stress and compassion satisfaction scores, most improvements were seen at 3 months. For burnout, the improvements were constant across the 3‐ and 6‐month follow‐ups.ConclusionsIn this small cohort of healthcare professionals, the mantra‐based AMI Meditation program significantly improved all three domains of caregiver stress with improvements in burnout and secondary traumatic stress as well as improvements in feelings of compassion. This adds to a rapidly growing body of research supporting the critical importance of these tools and skills in the mitigation of caregiver stress.

Care4AD: A Technology-Driven Platform for Care Coordination and Management: Acceptability Study in Dementia

Introduction: The technology-driven solution can reduce the caregiving burden; however, the needs of dementia caregiving are unique, and attitudes towards adopting technology from the perspectives of all the stakeholders involved in dementia caregiving are unclear. This study aims to assess the acceptability and feasibility of a technology-driven platform to facilitate care coordination platform, Care4AD, from the end-user perspective. Methods: Care4AD includes three components: (1) Care4AD app: the app is used by caregivers to coordinate care, monitor physical activity, and schedule reminders; (2) Care4AD tablet: a smart tablet is used by the care recipient to display scheduled reminders; and (3) Care4AD tags: a series of wireless sensor tags attached to various objects of daily care to facilitate monitoring instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) and adherence to scheduled tasks. Stakeholders in caregiving, including 11 experts in dementia care (age: 53.3 ± 8, 73% female), 10 individuals with dementia (IWD) (age: 76.1 ± 7.3, 50% female), and 14 caregivers (age: 66.9 ± 10.6, 75% female) were interviewed to determine perceived ease of use, attitude towards use, and perceived usefulness, based on the technology acceptance model (TAM) questionnaire. Additionally, we assessed technology anxiety and concerns with data sharing by caregivers and IWD. The interviews were conducted through videoconferencing or in-person meetings. The interview was composed of open-ended questions, a demonstration of the proposed Care4AD platform, and a survey based on TAM. Results: Compared to the neutral response, stakeholders showed significantly higher acceptance (70–100% satisfied to highly satisfied, p < 0.05) for all components of the TAM. Among IWD, age (r = −0.68, p = 0.03) and for caregivers the perceived ease of use (r = 0.73, p < 0.01) were significant predictors of attitude towards using the technology. Interestingly, neither concerns about data sharing nor educational level were limiting factors in the acceptability of the system in our sample. Conclusion: Overall, the results support a high perception of usefulness, ease of use, and attitude towards using Care4AD. The key barriers to adopting such technology are the age of IWD and the caregiver’s perception of ease of use. Future studies are warranted to explore the effectiveness of such a platform to reduce caregiver stress and improve the quality of life and independence of IWD.

Challenges and Burden on the Physical Health of Older Adults

Health care providers, gerontologists, psychologists, social workers, and policymakers are all focused on preventing elder abuse, improving life for the elderly, and reducing caregiver stress. Asian countries, which have a large population of older individuals, have a greater demand for in-place care for older adults because of their high rate.. An advocate for a community-based long-term care support system for older individuals and their carers is a major goal for this study article. To address the growing demand for in-home care for the elderly in India, this paper reviews secondary and tertiary sources of literature to establish a framework.

Use of mobile app to enhance functional outcomes and adherence of home-based rehabilitation program for elderly with hip fracture: A randomized controlled trial.

Mobile app has been used to improve exercise adherence and outcomes in populations with different health conditions. However, the effectiveness of mobile app in delivering home-based rehabilitation program to elderly patients with hip fracture is unclear. The aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of mobile app in delivering home-based rehabilitation program for improving functional outcomes and reducing caregiver stress with enhancing adherence among the elderly patients with hip fracture. A randomized controlled trial with an intervention period of two months was performed. Eligible participants were randomized into either experimental group with home-based rehabilitation program using a mobile app or control group with home-based rehabilitation program using an exercise pamphlet. Primary outcomes were Modified Functional Ambulatory Category (MFAC), Elderly Mobility Scale (EMS) and Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS). Secondary outcomes were exercise adherence and Modified Caregiver Strain Index (M-CSI). The outcomes were collected at pre-discharge training session, one month and two months after hospital discharge. A total of 50 participants were enrolled, with 19 participants in the experimental group and 20 participants in the control group. Eleven participants had withdrawn from the study. The experimental group showed higher exercise adherence than the control group in first month (). There were no between-group differences in MFAC, EMS, LEFS and M-CSI at the first month and second month. Use of the mobile app improved exercise adherence, yet it did not improve physical performance, self-efficacy and reduce caregiver stress when compared to a standard home rehabilitation program for elderly patients with hip fracture. Further studies to investigate the benefits of mobile apps are required. (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT04053348.).

Application of a Novel Algorithm for Expanding Newborn Screening for Inherited Metabolic Disorders across Europe.

Inherited metabolic disorders (IMDs) are mostly rare, have overlapping symptoms, and can be devastating and progressive. However, in many disorders, early intervention can improve long-term outcomes, and newborn screening (NBS) programmes can reduce caregiver stress in the journey to diagnosis and allow patients to receive early, and potentially pre-symptomatic, treatment. Across Europe there are vast discrepancies in the number of IMDs that are screened for and there is an imminent opportunity to accelerate the expansion of evidence-based screening programmes and reduce the disparities in screening programmes across Europe. A comprehensive list of IMDs was created for analysis. A novel NBS evaluation algorithm, described by Burlina et al. in 2021, was used to assess and prioritise IMDs for inclusion on expanded NBS programmes across Europe. Forty-eight IMDs, of which twenty-one were lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs), were identified and assessed with the novel NBS evaluation algorithm. Thirty-five disorders most strongly fulfil the Wilson and Jungner classic screening principles and should be considered for inclusion in NBS programmes across Europe. The recommended disorders should be evaluated at the national level to assess the economic, societal, and political aspects of potential screening programmes.

Perceived Stress in Older Dementia Caregivers: Mediation by Loneliness and Depression.

Coupled with aging, chronic stress experienced by dementia caregivers often leads to deteriorating health. Comparing caregivers and non-caregivers, we tested whether depression and loneliness mediate the relationship between caregiver status and a measure of chronic stress, the Perceived Stress Scale. Seventy-six cognitively normal older adults (mean age 72.7) were identified as caregivers or non-caregivers based on the functional independence of a paired family member. Caregivers reported more perceived stress, depression, and loneliness than non-caregivers. Using multiple mediation analyses, we found that loneliness and depression mediated the relationship of caregiver status with perceived stress. The loneliness effect on perceived stress was both direct and via its relationship with depressive symptoms. The findings suggest loneliness as a likely point of intervention to reduce caregiver stress. Initiatives to enable caregivers to maintain or develop social relationships apart from caregiver responsibilities may mitigate stress and its negative impact on mental and physical health.

Family Caregiving Disrupted by COVID-19: Overcoming Challenges Through Resilience and Flexibility

The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have been global and pervasive – yet only partially understood. Older adults and their family caregivers have experienced profound and unprecedented challenges as a result of COVID-19. This symposium features research on these disruptions and the creative adaptations undertaken in response. Four presentations present a variety of geographic regions, caregiving settings, and research focal points. Avidor and Ayalon present findings from interviews with family caregivers of residents in long-term care, highlighting the issues faced as a result of dramatic shifts in policy and procedures in support of pandemic infection control. Gum and colleagues focused on how service access has changed for community-dwelling older adults and their families during the pandemic, and how agencies may best leverage the flexibility of caregivers to adapt service provision. Boucher et al. compare the challenges faced by family caregivers during COVID-19 with those faced during a natural disaster, and highlight unique differences in service access for caregivers of military veterans. Finally, Ko and co-authors share their experience with the implementation of a technology intervention to reduce caregiver stress as part of a research trial, and how the protocol adjustments necessitated by COVID-19 revealed the unique potential of such technologies to support caregivers under isolated conditions. The presenters will focus on themes of resilience and lessons learned for health care systems, service agencies, and society to best support family caregivers in challenging circumstances moving forward.

Effects of Peer Mentoring for Caregivers of Patients With Acquired Brain Injury: A Preliminary Investigation of Efficacy

ObjectiveTo evaluate effectiveness of a peer mentor intervention for caregivers of patients with acquired brain injury (ABI) in encouraging caregiver participation in support services to prepare them for the role of caregiving and in reducing caregiver stress and depression. DesignControlled trial with participants randomized to either usual care or 1-to-1 visits with a family caregiver peer mentor during the ABI inpatient rehabilitation stay. SettingNonprofit rehabilitation hospital specializing in care of persons with brain and spinal cord injury. ParticipantsCaregivers (N=36) of patients with ABI admitted for rehabilitation whose discharge location was home with care provided by family members (caregivers: 93% female; 58% White; mean age, 48±10.4y). InterventionsOne-to-one peer mentoring visits during the inpatient stay with a trained peer mentor who is also a family caregiver of a survivor of brain injury. Main Outcome MeasuresFrequency of participation in support services for family caregivers, reported caregiver stress, and reported caregiver depressive symptoms. ResultsThere was no difference between groups in participation in support services for family caregivers. Participants in the peer mentor intervention group reported significantly greater improvement in caregiver stress at discharge and 30 days post discharge than participants in the usual care group. Reported depressive symptoms were also lower for the intervention group, but change scores did not achieve statistical significance at discharge or 30-day follow-up. ConclusionsPeer mentoring appears to improve caregivers’ ability to handle the stress of caregiving and reduces reported depressive symptoms. There was no between-group difference noted in participation in support services for families; however, participation was adversely affected by restrictions imposed during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, which may have masked any effect.

Bilingual problem-solving training for caregivers of adults with dementia: A randomized, factorial-design protocol for the CaDeS trial

ObjectiveCaregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) often experience debilitating caregiver burden and emotional distress. To address these negative emotional consequences of caregiving, we will test and refine a strategy training intervention – Problem-Solving Training (PST) – that promotes self-efficacy and reduces caregiver burden and depressive symptoms. Previous research supports efficacy of PST; however, we do not know exactly how many PST sessions are needed or if post-training “boosters” are required to maintain PST benefits. Additionally, we translated and culturally-adapted PST into “Descubriendo Soluciones Juntos” (DSJ), our novel intervention for Spanish-speaking caregivers. MethodIn this 2 × 2 factorial design randomized controlled trial, we will test remotely-delivered PST/DSJ sessions for both English- and Spanish-speaking caregivers of persons with ADRD to determine the optimal number of PST/DSJ sessions and ongoing “booster” sessions needed to best help caregivers navigate their current and future needs. Aims1) Compare the efficacy of three vs. six PST/DSJ sessions each with and without booster sessions for decreasing caregiver burden and depression and enhancing caregiver problem-solving; 2) Identify key factors associated with efficacy of PST/DSJ, including age, gender, primary language, relationship to care recipient, and uptake of the PST/DSJ strategy. ResultsThese results will establish guidelines needed for an evidence-based, culturally-adapted, and implementable problem-solving intervention to reduce caregiver stress and burden and improve caregiver health and well-being. ConclusionThis work promotes inclusion of diverse and underserved populations and advances therapeutic behavioral interventions that improve the lives of caregivers of individuals with chronic conditions.

Retracted] A Novel Smart Healthcare Monitoring System Using Machine Learning and the Internet of Things

The Internet of Things (IoT) has enabled the invention of smart health monitoring systems. These health monitoring systems can track a person’s mental and physical wellness. Stress, anxiety, and hypertension are key causes of many physical and mental disorders. Age‐related problems such as stress, anxiety, and hypertension necessitate specific attention in this setting. Stress, anxiety, and blood pressure monitoring can prevent long‐term damage by detecting problems early. This will increase the quality of life and reduce caregiver stress and healthcare costs. Determine fresh technology solutions for real‐time stress, anxiety, and blood pressure monitoring using discreet wearable sensors and machine learning approaches. This study created an automated artefact detection method for BP and PPG signals. It was proposed to automatically remove outlier points generated by movement artefacts from the blood pressure signal. Next, eleven features taken from the oscillometric waveform envelope were utilised to analyse the relationship between diastolic blood pressure (SBP) and systolic blood pressure (DBP). This paper validates a proposed computational method for estimating blood pressure. The proposed architecture leverages sophisticated regression to predict systolic and diastolic blood pressure values from PPG signal characteristics.

Changes to Family Caregiving of Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities during COVID-19.

The strict restrictions to reduce the spread of COVID-19 have disrupted the lives of many at-risk people and their family caregivers. This study explored how family caregivers perceived that family caregiving had changed during COVID-19 and the strategies they used to cope with these changes. We conducted 52 semi-structured interviews with family caregivers of adults over age 65 or adults with disabilities and analyzed the data through an inductive thematic analysis. Caregivers perceived the largest COVID-19-related caregiving changes to be limited social and physical contacts, changed caregiving tasks, reduced services and supports, and a new focus on vigilance and safety. Caregivers made numerous changes to caregiving, including keeping connected, keeping relatives occupied, getting support and services in new ways, and reducing caregiver stress.

Assessing the Impact of Older Americans Act–Funded Services on Caregiver Stress

Funding for OAA programs that support caregivers and care recipients has steeply declined since 2010. This is potentially problematic given these programs provide services that may reduce caregiver stress. To better understand what and for whom caregiving services reduces stress, we used data from the National Survey of Older Americans Act Participants (NSOAAP) to estimate logistic regression models predicting caregiver stress. These models include the following measures: services provided to the care recipient, services received by the caregiver, and caregiver satisfaction with services received; caregiver health, age, race, and gender; and care recipient health, age, gender, relationship to the caregiver, and coresidence with the caregiver. The results indicate that caregivers who were satisfied with services were less likely to be stressed compared to those who are not satisfied with services. Those who received respite care and counseling services were less likely to be stressed than those who attended classes and training. Consistent with the literature, caregivers who reported better health or cared for someone in better health were less likely to be stressed. Caregivers were also more likely to be stressed if they provided help with medical care compared to ADLs or if they lived with the care recipient. Overall, the results underscore the importance of continued, and possibly expanded, OAA funding for caregiver support services, especially those that provide respite and counseling to individuals who are providing care to frail and co-residential older adults.

Best Practices in Museum Programming for People With Dementia and Their Care Partners

As more people are living longer with dementia, museums can play an important public health role to support individuals, families, and communities. Arts & Minds programs for people with dementia and their care partners are designed according to principles of person-centered care and adult learning theory. The approach builds on research and evaluation to provide contact with art, which has been shown to reduce apathy and soothe agitation in persons with dementia and also to reduce caregiver stress. According to our observation- and feedback-based assessments of more than 500 program participants over the past 10 years, the processes of collective looking and art making specifically address symptoms of dementia and support human dignity. This presentation addresses the growing research base on the benefits of museum programming, and the ways in which research and evaluation support best practices in museum education to address the challenge of living well with dementia.

Memory clinics- a model for dementia care

Alzheimer’s Disease International estimates there are around 4.1 million people in India with dementia. Services available in India are inadequate to meet the needs of people with dementia and their families. Memory clinics are multidisciplinary teams led by specialist doctors with inputs from other professionals like nurses and social workers. This paper will explore the predominant themes emerging from a qualitative study assessing the core principles of memory clinics. The procedural details and the basic characteristics of attendees to one of the earliest memory clinics in the region would be described. Parson centred nature of care, rationalising medications, psychosocial support, multidisciplinary approach and family support were the emerging themes the experts identified as the functions and core principles. In addition to medical treatment, memory clinics can play a major role in appropriately guiding the patients with dementia and their families to address various challenges associated with the condition thus reducing caregiver stress. Memory clinics can also contribute to training, education and research and can play a major role in creating dementia friendly communities. There should be a collaborative approach in establishing appropriate dementia care between various agencies including governmental and non-governmental agencies. Keywords: Memory clinic, Dementia, Alzheimer’s, ARDSI.